“Little Shop of Horrors” taking root at Mary Linn

“Little Shop of Horrors,” the low budget Roger Corman horror flick that found (or devoured) new life as a campy Off-Broadway musical, is coming to Northwest.

The Mainstage production, a joint effort by Theatre Northwest and the University’s music department, will run from Thursday, Feb. 28, through Saturday, March 1, in the Performing Art Center’s Mary Linn Auditorium. All curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Tickets, available at the door, cost $10 for the general public and $8 for students, faculty and seniors.

Romance sets the plot in motion, as Seymour, the lonely and somewhat nerdish protagonist, takes a job in Mr. Mushnik’s run-down flower shop and soon falls for Audrey, his attractive co-worker. Then, following a solar eclipse, Seymour discovers a singular plant, which he names Audrey II.

But this is no ordinary plant, and it soon turns out that Audrey II has very unique -- not to say sanguinary -- nutritional needs.

With book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and a doo-wop/Motown score by Alan Menken, “Little Shop” is a darkly funny comedy with splashes of B-movie horror. Dr. Joe Kreizinger, assistant professor of communication, theatre and languages, directs. Dr. Brian Lanier, assistant professor of music, serves as musical director.

“‘Little Shop’ has always been a personal favorite of mine,” Kreizinger said. “There is something in it that everyone will like. Even people who may think they don't enjoy live theatre typically have a great time with this show.”

Assistant Professor Patrick Immel, who is in charge of scenery and lights for the production, added that the technical demands of a full-blown musical are creating challenges for the student cast and crew that will stand them in good stead.

“This production is providing both our performance and tech/design students with an opportunity to practice and perfect skills they will most certainly use after graduating from Northwest,” he said.

Partial funding for “Little Shop of Horrors” is being provided by DST Systems Inc. of Kansas City.

For more information about the show, or to learn about group-rate opportunities, call 660.562.1172.

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Two other student productions will take place at Northwest in February when the curtain opens on a pair of short Studio Theatre plays at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, in the “black box” space located in the basement of the Performing Arts Center.

“Mandy Dear” by Hillary Ingber is directed by Northwest student Katie Baker, and “’Dentity Crisis” by Christopher Durang is directed by Northwest student Shannon McGregor. Tickets, good for both shows, cost $3 at the door.

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Brown,
News Bureau Manager
E-Mail: abrown@nwmissouri.edu
Phone: 660.562.1704
Fax: 660.562.1900

Northwest Missouri State University
219 Administration Building,
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

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